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Teacher Recommendation

Customer Rating:
As a teacher, I find this book very useful. I teach basic English at a public high school, and I read this book with my sophomores every year.

Although it is certainly not great literature, and it is not likely to be remembered fifty years from now, Will Hobbs is a talented writer whose strengths include creating interesting characters with depth, using imagery to bring readers into the setting, and using foreshadowing as a tool to generate interest and suspense.

Even readers who say they don't like to read enjoy this book. Both male and female readers tend to enjoy this book equally, and I receive many requests to read its sequel, _River Thunder_, which is fairly decent itself, though not quite up to the quality of _Downriver_.

TONS OF SUSPENSE

Customer Rating:
Reviewer- Michele Zander
Title- Down River
Author- Will Hobbs
Publisher- Barton Double Dell Books for Young Readers
Copyright- 1991
Total # of pages- 204

No adults, no permit, no river map, just some "borrowed" gear from Discovery Unlimited. That's how their adventure began. Seven different teens set out by themselves in the Grand Canyon not knowing what will happen. They all have their own different problems and learn many new things about themselves and about each other.
I'd have to say that I don't have a favorite part of this book because I liked it all the same; it was really adventurous and exciting.
The theme of this book I would say is be thankful for what you have. I think this because in the book one of the teens named Jesse goes to the summer camp Discovery Unlimited angry at her parents and she doesn't really care about anything.
I really like how this book had a lot of adventure and action. I wouldn't have changed anything about this book. I think people who should read it are ones that really like adventure or action.

Great book for reluctant readers

Customer Rating:
Outdoor action, adventure, thrills - reluctant readers will really like this book. Jesse and her new friends have decided to ditch the outdoor adventure trip they signed up for and strike out on their own. Helicopters and searchers are looking for the renegade group everywhere. Meanwhile, serious problems start to develop within the group. Will they make it back to safety or have their foolish choices doomed them? This is a great book to get teenagers hooked on because Will Hobbs has written many more great books for them to continue reading.

Down River

Customer Rating:
Down River
Down River is a book about troubled decent teens going to a camp. The problem is a mean camp consoler who is giving the kids a hard time, and the kids are sick of it. So the teens steal the camp and are heading towards the Grand Canyon. When they get their, they sail the Colorado River. But soon in the adventure turns into a disaster. Bad weather comes while the kids are sailing and they are stranded in the middle of the river. I think the book was.

Downriver, a review by Allison, Kevin, and Hannah!

Customer Rating:
"Downriver!"
Running the rapids of the Grand Canyon, seven kids find adventure, friendship, and themselves. Will Hobbs writes a thrilling survival book called Downriver, which is similar to Hatchet, by Gary Paulson, but with its own twists and turns. This book is similar to Hatchet, but there are seven kids who must work together, instead of one who must work alone. Eight kids are sent to Discovery Unlimited or as they call it "Hoods in the Woods," steal equipment and take a joy ride on the Colorado River. After one bails, it's down to them to overcome their fears and this obstacle. After getting tossed around like luggage in the Colorado River, these kids have to take it up a notch. Not only was the river a problem, but they were doing this illegally with people chasing after them. Will Hobbs uses dialogue and thoughts to bring out the life in the characters, and also uses sensory images.
Will Hobbs is a tremendous author using descriptive language, and strong adjectives to get the reader really into the book. To show this, he has many awards in his trophy case. Some of these are the Notable Book Award, Best Book for Young Adults, Teachers' Choice Awards, and the Regional Book Award. But the only reason he has won this many awards is because his books are a captivating read. The idea for this book came out of Will Hobbs' own experiences. He got this idea because he has gone rafting in the Grand Canyon ten times and wanted to share his love of the Canyon with young readers. We recommend this book to anyone who loves a little excitement, adventure and suspense. Kids from ages 9 to 14 would enjoy this novel. Will Hobbs created a thrilling survival that will lead people to believe that good can come out of bad.